Author's Note: Uhm...I have nothing to say...yet...
Disclaimer: Ya'll already know what this stands for
Summary: Draco & Hermione were suppose to start their 7th year at Hogwarts as a couple, but due to a misunderstanding the previous year that dream soon crumbled and now they are to start their 7th year picking up the pieces of their tattered lives...
Setting: 7th Year
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XI. Another Lonely Christmas
Draco's bruises were almost healed by the time Christmas came. Like the year before, he was once again the only Slytherin student left to spend Christmas at Hogwarts. He didn't mind spending the holiday in school. He'd rather be there than be at home with his father. Lucius would berate on him once again if he set foot at home.
A few days after he spent the night with Hermione in the Gryffindor tower he received an owl from Lucius. Seemed like he found out who took care of his son after he beat him senseless and left him in the alley.
...so you ran to your precious Mudblood for comfort. I am extremely disgusted with you, Draco. Clean up your act or I'll clean it up for you!
Draco knew Lucius never gives out empty threats. He will personally see to it that Draco cleans up his act and sever his connection to Hermione.
But he didn't want to do that. For once he didn't want to sever all ties he had with a Mudblood, especially if she happen to be the Mudblood he loves.
He lingered a while longer in bed. There was no point checking for his presents. His father didn't send him any. Narcissa already sent her gift to him weeks ago, a knitted black sweater with a silver D.M. embroidered on it. And his other present would be from Pansy, and he didn't want to open that particular gift. Every year she gave him presents, and every year he returned it to her unopened. She should've gotten the hint that eh didn't want anything from her, but she was too thick in the head to get a clue.
After lingering in bed for half an hour, Draco threw his blanket off him and headed to the common room. He was still half sleepy when he reached the common room, but soon sleep was the farthest thing from his mind when he walked into the Slytherin common room and found the place decorated with bows and holly, the usually dark and dank place was alive with green, red, and white colour. Draco thought he stepped in to a different room, but then he saw the furniture and knew he was at the right place.
"What the hell is going on?" he asked out loud as he stepped in to the middle of the room, turning a full three-sixty degree turn to scan the well decorated common room.
"Merry Christmas, Draco." from the shadows of a tall, well-lit Christmas tree, Hermione appeared holding a small box wrapped in gold and silver.
Draco stared in awestruck disbelief at the girl standing in the same room with him.
"Mione?"
"Hi." she smiled sheepishly, "I got a present for you. And...well, I took the time of decorating the place."
Draco raised an eyebrow and scanned the room once more, nodding his head in appreciation before breaking into a warm smile. "Thank you."
"No problem." she smiled back. "Uhm, don't you want to open your presents?"
"What present?" Draco gave a careless shrug and sat down on one of the sofa chairs.
"Well, didn't you get any present from your parents?"
"I already got Mother's present. And I doubt Father even bothered sending me one after what happened."
"Oh." Hermione chewed on her lower lip, at a loss for something to say. She knew what happened between Lucius and Draco that day he ran in to her after their last weekend at Hogsmeade before the holiday break. Draco told her of his unexpected meeting with Lucius, although she was already warned by Harry that Lucius was in Hogsmeade and Draco was with him, she didn't realize what exactly the reason behind Lucius's sudden appearance.
"Uhm...I saw--well, I saw another present under the tree with your name on it--"
"That was from Pansy." he cut her off before she could finish her sentence, "I don't care much for her presents. I always return it to her every year unopened."
"Oh." Hermione was once again at a loss for words. She didn't know why she was in the Slytherin dungeon once again, but after seeing Draco all alone during dinner last night, she felt sorry for him. Harry mentioned to her that Draco was at odds with his father and the gap that was separating father and son was soon growing wider and wider--and it was all because of her. She felt guilty in a way for ruining Draco's life, well, for ruining his relationship with his father anyway, that soon after they were done dinner she returned back to the Gryffindor tower formulating a plan to at least give Draco a very merry Christmas.
With Harry's help, they both went down to the kitchen and asked Dobby a favour which the house elf gladly agreed to. He helped them get in to the Slytherin dungeon via some secret passages elves used to get in and out of each house. A couple of other house elves even lend a hand in decorating the usually dark and gloomy Slytherin common room while a few more brought in food. Nearing the crack of dawn everything was in order and Harry stood near the doorway of the secret passage and looked at Hermione.
"Are you sure about this, Herm?" he asked worriedly.
"Of course I am. Harry, I still love him. And I really feel sorry for him. I can't believe Lucius would be that vile as to beat his kid like the way he did just because Draco wanted to take a stand for what he believed was right for him."
"Well, give him a Christmas to remember, Herm." he smiled and engulfed his best friend in a tight hug before leaving the Slytherin dungeon with Dobby.
That was close to five hours ago. Now here she stood just a few feet away from the man she love with all her heart, clutching a present she has kept for so long. She wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do to present him with a family heirloom that was passed on to each generation of Grangers to be given to the one they would promise forever-after with, but she knew her forever after lies with Draco Malfoy.
Well, here goes nothing. she took a deep breath and crossed the space between them, standing before Draco who slowly raked his cool gray eyes up to her face. She held the small box housing her family heirloom tightly and forced a smile on her face, "Merry Christmas, Draco. Here's my present to you." she handed the box to him and waited a couple of agonizing seconds until he reached out and took the box from her hand.
"Mione, you shouldn't have." he said after a while, gazing at the small box in his hand.
"But I want to."
Draco met her gaze once more, setting the small box down on the armrest of the sofa and patted the seat beside him. Hermione sat down beside him, twisting her body sideways and rested her elbow on the backrest of the sofa. Draco twisted his body sideways too and faced her, imitating her sitting position. He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing it lightly and Hermione leaned in to it, closing her eyes when she felt Draco's soft caress.
"I love you with all my heart, Hermione Granger." he confessed, his voice cracking with emotion as he continued to gaze at her face.
Hermione's dark eyes snapped open upon hearing those words. She heard the truth in his tone and read it in his eyes. Oh how her heart swelled with pride and joy. He really does love me! her heart sang gaily.
"I love you too with all my heart, Draco Malfoy." she didn't realize she uttered those words out loud until she saw the change in Draco's facial expression. It was a mixture of happiness and dread. Dread that she might take those words back as soon as she realized what she just said, but Hermione merely smiled and leaned closer to plant a soft kiss on his lips.
Draco gasped at Hermione's unexpected boldness. It took him a couple of seconds to respond, and when he did his arms wrapped around her waist like a tight vise, pulling her closer to him, deepening their kiss.
~*~
Hermione rested her head on Draco's chest, her arm wrapped around his waist as they snuggled under the blanket Draco summoned for them. It was already after noon and they just made love for the second itme, neither one of them showed-up for lunch but the food the house elves brought earlier was enough for them.
Draco was absentmindedly drawing circles on Hermione's shoulder, his other arm tucked underneath his head and his gaze focused on the ceiling. He has been doing a lot of thinking since she handed him her present. He was intrigued to find out what it was she gave him and at the same time he felt guilty for not getting her anything for Christmas. He would've gotten her something when he was at Hogsmeade, but Lucius spoiled the trip for him by showing up and beat the life out of him!
"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked, breaking in to his thoughts. She lifted her head from his chest and looked at him.
Draco tore his gaze from the ceiling and met hers. He smiled fondly at her.
"Just wondering what your present to me is, that's all." he shrugged.
"Then why don't you open it." she urged.
"I can't."
"Why not?" she frowned.
"Because I have nothing to give back to you. Not that I didn't plan on buying you a present because I did, just ask Potter. He was suppose to help me look for your present, but Lucius--"
Hermione pressed her hand against his lips to shut him up. He was beginning to sound like a child justifying himself after being caught doing something he shouldn't be doing.
"Shut-up, Malfoy." she grinned, inching closer to give him a chaste kiss. She pulled away quickly before the kiss got any deeper, to Draco's distaste. She smiled mischievously and tilted her head sideways, watching him more intently. "You know you don't have to buy me a present. Knowing that you do love me indeed is the greatest Christmas gift I could ever receive."
Draco's heart sang in joyful bliss. At last Hermione believed him. He pushed himself upright, taking Hermione with him.
"I love you with all my heart, Hermione Granger. I've never loved someone as much as I love you, and you'd better believe it." he smiled and pressed his forehead against hers.
Hermione returned his smile and traced his lips with her fingertip, "I think I have always loved you, Draco Malfoy. I can't imagine living my life without you."
"Good." he answered smugly, "Because I can't imagine living my life without you too." he leaned closer and captured her slightly parted mouth for another searing kiss, drinking in the taste that was pure Hermione, the woman he loves.
Hermione broke away from the kiss and met his gaze, "Open my present now, please?" she asked sheepishly.
"What is it first?" he insisted.
"I can't tell you that or it'll ruin the surprise and suspense of opening gifts!"
"Can't you at least give me a hint?"
Hermione gnawed on her lower lip, thinking on whether or not to tell him exactly what she gave him or let him find out for himself. But Draco was a stubborn man. He wouldn't budge until she succumb to him.
"Well...it's a family heirloom. And that's all I'm going to say!" she said and pulled away from his embrace, "Now open it."
"A family heirloom, eh?" Draco raised an eyebrow then reached down on the floor where he set the small box she handed him earlier. He looked at the wrapping and tried to guess what it could be.
"Yes." Hermione nodded eagerly, "A family heirloom that has been passed on from one generation of Granger offspring to another."
"If it's a family heirloom then why--"
Hermione placed her index finger against his lips to shut him up once again, "Stop asking too many questions and just open it. I'll explain to you why I am giving it to you once you've opened your present." she promised.
Intrigued, Draco tore the wrapper open and stared at the small black velvet jewelry box. Frowning he flipped the lid open and stared at the nicest chain bracelet made of pure silver. There were some carvings on each chain and as he looked closer he could read out names of probably each Granger family member. There were too many to read but nearing the end of the chain he read Hermione's mother's name inscribed on the chain.
"My family called that a Forever Chain (a/n: yeah, yeah, cheesy name, but c'mon & gimme a break! I can't really think of what else to call it but that--just read on the explanation and probably that'll make sense *smiles*) bracelet," Hermione began, pulling her legs up and pressing her knees against her chest. "It's been in my family since...oh, since God knows when. It is given by a member of my family to the person they would spend forever with and their names are inscribed in each chain." she explained.
Draco was at a loss for words. Was she telling him what he thought she was telling him? She wanted to spend forever with him?
"Mione--"
Hermione raised her hand to silence him, smiling at him reassuringly, "I know it's an impossible feat when it comes to the two of us, I mean with you being a Pureblood and whose father is dead-set against having you mingle with Muggle born like myself it's not that easy to be together, but I know in my heart of hearts that you're the only one I would want to spend forever with." she admitted.
"Oh Hermione..." Draco sighed and reached over to cup her face, pulling her close and capturing her mouth for another kiss. He slowly pulled away and met her gaze, "You know how much I love you, and we will find a way to be together regardless of what Lucius thinks. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." he dangled the bracelet before her then summoned his wand. He pointed the tip of his wand on the chain after Hermione's mother's name and recited a spell that magically inscribed Draco's name on the next chain. He grinned widely and proudly put the silver bracelet around his left wrist. "Now I'm yours forever, Hermione Granger." he announced.
Hermione couldn't help herself from grinning widely.
"I'll love you forever, Draco Malfoy."
"And I'll love you from now until the end of time, Hermione Granger."
~*~*~*~*~
to be continued...
A/N: Uhm...too much fluff? Not enough fluff? What do you think? Anyway, I got a plan/plot already made up regarding the direction Draco and Hermione's relationship is heading. And don't you all worry your pretty heads off because I am not about to turn evil and break them apart! *shakes head* Jeez, I just Draco beaten to death by his father, gave Hermione the courage to admit her true feelings for Draco & have her accept that he really does love her to break them apart once again! No, I won't be that evil...just hang in there and let me ponder more on the next chapters...and maybe the end is near for this fic--I'm not sure yet. *smiles*
Demon Wolf: yeah, Tom Felton is sexy...and I think you can rent Anna and the King at any video rental store *grins* Good luck in your quest to buy/borrow the movie...hehehe
Nysa: I know, I know, too tall, but I actually went to high school with somebody who's 6 foot 8--and he was only like what, 16 around that time?! *lol* So yeah, I think Lucius standing 6 foot 8 is tall--but not really that very much of a giant of a man *lol*
Loki: Hmm...I didn't dwell much on how Harry reacted, but maybe I'll make a mention of that in later chapters. As for Lucius...well, we don't know if he'll actually go through with his threat...I mean, look at how Hermione and Draco's relationship progressed in this chapter, hehehehe
Draco's one and only: You're welcome. And as for Hermione ending up preggy...it's still debatable. The course their relationship is taking right now is leading to them being able to live a happily ever after life, but of course Lucius will still have a say in that *wink, wink*
Lilie Blaze: Well I just want to show just how bad Draco's relationship is with his father and how serious Lucius is about wanting Draco to disassociate himself with Hermione and his newfound friend, Harry...
Queen Li: I see that you have updated your story, I think I better go check that out and read it. And thanks for liking the last couple of chapters posted, hope this one suits to your liking, hehehehe
Angela: Kill Lucius? Hmm...a lot of peeps told me to kill him off...hehehe, maybe I will, I just don't know how...but we'll see what Lucius's fate will be in this fic....
Starrynights13: Adding any people to my story for fun?? What do you mean? Well I think I might be adding a few "unknown" characters, but we'll see
Slytherin's Angel: I checked your fic already and left my review...update soon on that one!
SXYDNCRGRLIE2005: Aly, I don't think you're the only one that has Tom Felton as her leading man in her dreams...hehehehe *wink, wink*
Quistis88: You're from Alberta too?! Really? WICKED! Whereabouts in the great Alberta province are you from? I'm from E-town, hehehehe
Hermione18: Well Hermione and Draco did more than just talk in this chapter, hehehehe
Brookie: It's not really a complete loss for Draco. I think in this chapter he gained more than what he bargained for to begin with
Hannah4Daniel: Groovy, baby! *lol* sounds like you are sooo hyper, I wonder why...well anyways, hope this chap is also "groovy" to you :p
PenScribble: sorry about the short chappies, it's really unintentional that I end up writing short chapters; it just happens that way. Anyway, I think the last few chapters in this fic aren't that short--are they? and thanks for liking both A Different You, A Different Me and this fic
Potterfan: There's going to be more chapters, and here's one of the new installments of chapters! *lol*
nessa-girl: I wondered when I'll see you again as one of my reviewers, anyway, you have quite a few chapters to read, hope you like this sequel *smiles*